“Sorry I didn’t see you!” Anything that means we hear or say that phrase less, is good news! Here’s a new product from DOFIX.
I love cycling, and consider the bicycle to be one of mankind’s better inventions. So when Belgian company DOFIX contacted me and asked if I would review some cycling kit, I was definitely interested. It arrived in the mail, I tried it out, and here’s my review.
The DOFIX LED Signalling Vest
The product is a vest that you strap onto your body like you would a light backpack. It has a controller fastened to your handlebars that allows you to indicate whether you intend to go straight on or turn to the left or right. The LED lights on the vest then illuminate and flash, displaying your intentions clearly to other road users behind you.
The vest is a good size for an adult and its straps are adjustable to fit your body size.
This shows the straps and buckles that you use to fit the vest onto your back:
This shows the inside of the vest, which has the on/off button and a pocket to store any documents or a wallet:
How was it “on the road?”
My daughter Suzanna and I both tried out the vest. Initially it was a bit fiddly to work out which straps clicked into which buckles, but once we’d worked that out it was easy to put on and take off. We thought it would fit a child as well as an adult as the straps are fully adjustable. You have to remember to switch the vest on BEFORE you put the vest on, as the on/off button is not accessible when you are wearing the vest.
The vest is operated by a controller that fits onto the handlebars of the bike with the plastic straps provided.
The controller was easy to operate and the buttons are well spaced. We both could operate it while wearing gloves without any problems. The vest is powered by a USB rechargeable lithium battery. A single charge (which takes 4 hours) allows for 15 hours of use.
The LED lights are bright and clearly visible from quite a distance away. Both the controller and the vest are apparently waterproof but we didn’t put that to the test.
Conclusion
I think the DOFIX signalling vest is a very useful piece of equipment for any cyclist. Anything that increases the visibility of a cyclist on the road is a good idea, as long as operating it doesn’t interfere with normal operation of a bike. In this respect it’s worth pointing out that DOFIX clearly state that the vest does not replace hand signals but complements them.
Its price is fairly high, at 49.99 EUR, but what price is safety? I think it’s well worth the investment, particularly if you are cycling to school or work every day. Delivery is free. Currently the vest can be delivered within Belgium or to the UK. The website is in four languages: English, Dutch, French and German.
I believe the DOFIX signalling vest would be an excellent purchase for a safety-conscious cyclist.
For ordering information, head over to the DOFIX website. Or click the link below.
DOFIX Signalling Vest
49.99 EUR Strong points
- Excellent visibility
- Includes storage pockets
- Rechargeable batteries
- Adjustable straps
- Easy to operate controller
Less strong points
- Bit fiddly at first
- On/off button not easily accessible
What a great idea. The price is reasonable considering you would only have to buy it once and anything that makes cyclists more visible is definitely worth having.
I agree Carol.
Great article!
Thanks!
I think this is a fabulous idea. Safety is definitely a top priority on the bike and can’t be overlooked. Great review Denzil.
Glad you liked the product and review Miriam. They also make a version that can be clipped onto the back of a backpack. I need to add that to the text.
That is a wonderful concept and makes total sense. Often when these inventions come out, I wonder why nobody else came up with them earlier. I wonder whether they will become popular or not. Especially in the US, where bikers are NOT on the radar of the millions of motorists, this would be a good piece of equipment to have when hitting the road in the dark.
Thanks for the review, Denzil. We have our own bikes now, but avoid being out on them at night. If these vests would be cheaper, I’d consider getting two.
If they ever have a special “Two for the price of One” promotion I will certainly let you know Liesbet!
Looks like a great idea, Denzil. Have you seen what it looks like, on a cyclist. while you’re driving a car?
No I haven’t Robert, and that’s a good idea for “Road Test The Sequel”.
What a brilliant idea. There are lots of cyclists where I live, often traveling in cycling club groups. Unfortunately, drivers here in California are so dangerous – they drive too fast, turn on red lights, ignore pedestrians in crosswalks, and drive drunk or while texting – that everyone is at risk. This would certainly help ensure safety for cyclists and I’m all for that.
Your description of Californian drivers could apply to drivers anywhere, Sharon. I’ve seen truck drivers texting on the motorway here. Maybe there need to be instant bans and disqualifications brought in.
Not enough highway patrol officers here and a public that feels entitled to do whatever they want.
I’m not a cyclist, but I am a driver who tries to be courteous and give a person the room they need to be safe. This would be a wonderful addition especially since it is dark here at 4:30 in the afternoon. Great review.
Thanks Judy. How I wish all drivers would be as courteous as you.
Actually my subscription management is doing weird things, unfollowing those I had already followed!
did yo try chatting online with wordpress help people? I find that often helps – also, I just have basic wordpress template as found that trying to manage my own was hopeless…
I do find them very helpful Daal, although didn’t go down this direction for this particular problem.
am always amazed at how much longer online chat takes than a simple phone call, but they only give out phone number to higher paying customers
great idea – here in Los Angeles, we don’t have many pedestrians & bicyclers, so drivers aren’t used to looking for them — which makes me not want to ride a bike even though we have very pro-pedestrian laws
Do they have special bike lanes in any of the cities in the US Daal? I ask this because I remember visiting Phoenix and being surprised not just by the absence of bike lanes but by no pavements/sidewalks either – at least in the newer parts of the city. Obviously downtown they had sidewalks. It led to some scary experiences when I wanted to go an evening walk from my hotel!
here in Los Angeles they have them only in some parts. Long Beach is calling itself something like the ‘bicycle city’ & is working hard to have bike lanes as well as stronger driving laws. just recently Long Beach even has bikes & scooters that can be borrowed. nonetheless, I fear for anyone who bicycles anywhere around here. other cities have more pedestrians, but Los Angeles is all ‘urban sprawl,’ meaning it grew out rather than up — & it has a terrible public transit system — so everyone needs to own their own car. also, we have zoning laws that segregate living and shopping — shopping is rarely a short walk (or bike ride), so again, folks don’t walk here & so cars aren’t used to watching out for pedestrians…
At least Los Angeles seems to be keen to motivate the purchase or hiring of electric cars, from what I read in the press. California in general seems to be quite sustainable in its approach to energy too, although it’s a shame that the public transport system is so poor, as you describe.
Electric bikes and scooters are taking off more over here: but are considered a bit of a nuisance due to the speeds they zoom along the cycle paths.
things always sound so much better (or incredibly worse) on the news, no? lol
Ha, you’re right there Daal!